FOOD FUN(HKTDC Houseware,1997)

KITCHEN textiles -- from oven gloves and aprons to tea towels and place-mats
-- come in many shapes, colours and guises. Although these items are functional
and practical, Hong Kong manufacturers have gone to great lengths to make
bright, cheerful products that are attractive and fun to use.

The most common material for many of these products is cotton, but PVC has
become increasingly popular, favoured for its durability and easy-to-clean
qualities. It is especially preferred for items such as aprons, tablecloths and
place-mats, because they need only a quick wipe to keep them clean and are
therefore practical for the everyday mishaps in the kitchen.

As well as being produced as stand-alone items, kitchen textiles come in
sets. A common set includes oven gloves, an apron and tea cloth, with a matching
design or theme.

Yearise Ltd uses the Christmas theme for a selection of items, producing a
series in both cotton and PVC. Oven mittens are priced at US$3.60 per dozen, pot
holders at US$2.20, aprons at US$8.60 and tea towels at US$6.75.

Yearise manufactures its own standard designs for a minimum order of 200
dozen items, and custom-ordered designs for a minimum order of 800 dozen. Its
4,000-square-metre factory in Dongguan, mainland China, employs a staff of 400.

"We export to the US and Canada, but Europe is our biggest market,
especially Germany," says senior marketing executive Kenny Lo. "We
make many items like cushion covers, oven gloves and cotton place-mats." He
adds that the product line extends to wallets and handbags. The company delivers
45 days after order confirmation.

Attention to detail is a sure sign of quality and makes kitchen textiles
that much more appealing and interesting. Bontex Ind Co, a subsidiary of Bontex
Corpn Ltd, is one such manufacturer. It has sewn a three-dimensional detail of
stuffed miniature carrots onto a plain dark-green background for a line of oven
mittens (model F2-OP-BT/2). A set includes the mittens and a pot holder and
sells for US$1.44.

Janice Lau, assistant sales manager at Bontex, says, "We make aprons,
oven mittens and towels for markets in France, Spain and Europe in general, and
occasionally for the US." Delivery times vary from 30-45 days for a minimum
order of 6,000 units per model, to 45-60 days for a full container.

Another company that has adopted this type of design is Potter Ind Ltd,
which has a selection of three-dimensional features in lively floral and
vegetable patterns. Potter manufactures an extensive range of textile products
for the bathroom and kitchen, including bowl covers, auto-opening food covers,
aprons, hand towels and oven mittens. Items carry the Home Master brand name.

The company sources quality materials from the mainland, the UK and Japan,
and serves predominantly the US, French and UK markets. It requires a minimum
order of US$2,500, and delivers within 45 days from the date of the order.

C&L Ind Ltd emphasises quality for its packaging as well as for the
actual products, and provides sturdy plastic covers for individual items so they
can be stored in their plastic pockets after they have been opened.

Manager Terence Choi says, "We produce a lot of PVC products and
because of quota problems in EEC countries, our main market is South America."
He says that C&L, whose products carry the brand name Pile Plan, started out
as a trading company but expanded into manufacturing to offer high-quality,
custom-design production facilities, because there were few companies that
served this niche at the time.

Delivery -- originating from its three-floor factory in Dongguan, on the
mainland -- takes 35 days after order confirmation.

Eastrade Ind Ltd has also taken an innovative approach to its products, this
time in the area of product development. "Every three years we develop new
products in different product areas," says managing director Wilfred Lam.

Eastrade now produces a variety of goods for the kitchen and bathroom. "Kitchen
textiles make up one-third of our total sales," he says. The company
employs 1,000 workers at its two manufacturing plants in Shiyang and Shenzhen,
on the mainland, and at its headquarters in Hong Kong. The minimum order is 300
dozen of each design for each item, for delivery in 45 days.

One of the more well-established textile businesses is Mie Mie Handbag Fty,
with 24 years' experience in the manufacture of bags and handbags. It expanded
production to include kitchen textiles 12 years ago, and now produces bright,
lively designs on products such as aprons, oven mittens and pot holders.

"We started with only five or six employees, but now we have 250
workers at the factory in [mainland] China and four in the office in Hong Kong,"
says company representative Ivy Chan. Mie Mie caters for the US, Japanese and
European markets, and delivers about 30 days after order confirmation. The
minimum order is 120 dozen or 10 cartons.

Wai Lee Mfy Co Ltd makes aprons, oven mittens and shopping bags. "Like
many companies in Hong Kong, we moved our factory from Hong Kong to [mainland]
China about six years ago," says spokesperson Sam Cheung. Wai Lee employs
80 workers at its Guangdong plant, and sources materials such as cotton, nylon
and PVC from Taiwan and the mainland. It focuses on the US and EU markets.

Written by Meiling Voon

SWEET DREAMSBedding

A GOOD night's sleep depends on many things, but certain to improve anyone's
slumber is a bed made with crisp sheets and a warm duvet.

"Different styles are popular in different markets," explains
Elaine Tsang, marketing director of Shui Tin Bedding Supplies Co Ltd. "In
Hong Kong, people prefer printed patterns for their bedding but for other
markets, plain dyed materials are more popular."

Shui Tin has been manufacturing bedding collections since 1991 and has a
monthly sales volume of about HK$3m. All materials are sourced in mainland China
and manufactured at the company's factory in Shenzhen, on the mainland.

The 902 set, with a sheet measuring 60x76 inches and two pillowcases, sells
for HK$52 per set. The company also manufactures quilt covers, such as the 012
design measuring 70x90 inches and selling for HK$76 FOB Hong Kong.

There is no minimum order requirement and delivery takes 30 days after order
confirmation.

Shui Tin's main markets are Hong Kong, the mainland, South Korea and Canada,
where products appear under several brand names, including Interlude, Charmante,
Westfalia, Wadaland and Fordland.

Cotton, linen and mixed linen are sourced from the mainland and Pakistan for
manufacture in factories on the mainland and in Vietnam. The company has offices
in Hong Kong and Italy.

"We have our own designs, but we also accept clients' designs for
manufacture. White and pastel colours tend to be the most popular," Fu
says. Mauriello's products appear under the brand name Marika Linen.

Minimum order size is between 20 and 30 sets, depending on style. Delivery
takes 4-6 months after order confirmation.

Kai Yuen Co Ltd exports silk blankets made in Ningbo, on the mainland, from
pure Chinese silk. According to merchandiser Ida Cheung, about 5,000 blankets
are produced per month.

Silk blankets, available in plain and printed colours, measure 150x210
centimetres and sell for US$60-78 FOB Hong Kong each. Minimum order is 500
blankets (at least 100 per colour) and delivery takes 45-60 days after order
confirmation.

Cheung says main markets are Japan and Europe.

King Long Textile Ltd offers table linen, bedding and down products,
including items suitable for hotel use. Established in 1992, King Long produces
10,000 bedding sets a month or 15,000 down duvets.

A six-piece set (KLT-019544) of printed bedding in 100% cotton with a 200
thread count is priced at HK$540 FOB Hong Kong. The KLB-019302 six-piece set of
50/50 cotton/polyester with a 180 thread count, sells for HK$450 per set.

Minimum order is 300 sets per design, with delivery 45 days after order
confirmation. Major markets are Japan and Canada.

Various household products -- from shower curtains and washing lines to
bedding -- are manufactured by Wing Hing Houseware Co Ltd. Established in 1985,
the company produces an average of 5,000 bedding sets per month at its factory
on the mainland, mainly for the Hong Kong market, where its products appear
under the brand name Celia.

Bedding is made of polyester and cotton, sourced on the mainland. A fitted
sheet measuring 48x74 inches with two pillowcases (WY48) sells for HK$42 per
set. A multi-use quilt measuring 70x90 inches (BA018) sells for HK$115 and the
70x90-inch quilt cover (BA015) is priced at HK$63 FOB Hong Kong.

Minimum order is 300 pieces per style and delivery takes 30 days after order
confirmation.

AAA Enterprises Ltd has been manufacturing textiles for the home --
including bed sheets, bedspreads and curtains -- since 1983. The company has a
factory in Shenzhen, on the mainland, turning out more than 7,500 bedspreads and
bed sheets a month. Cotton-satin sheeting is sourced on the mainland.

A 100% cotton quilt cover and pillowcase set in either printed design or
solid colour sells for HK$110 FOB Hong Kong. Minimum orders are 1,600 bedspreads
and 2,000 bed sheets, with delivery between 60 and 90 days after order
confirmation. Packaging is a polybag with photo inlay, which can be altered to
suit customers' requirements. OEM work is also undertaken.

Markets are Switzerland, Sweden, Italy, the Netherlands, Greece, the US and
Brazil. "These bedding sets are popular in European countries. [About]
70-80% of our business is printed fabrics and the remainder is solid colours. In
spring and summer time, pastel tones sell well, whereas in autumn and winter,
our customers prefer darker colours," says director Gary Lai.

Written by Vivien Jones

STYLISHING SOLUTIONSCD Racks/Cabinets

FINDING stylish systems to store growing compact disc collections can be a
problem. Manufacturers of CD racks and cabinets in Hong Kong are addressing this
dilemma with a range of units that are functional, fashionable and will not look
out of place in the most elegant of homes.

Faithful Int'l Trading Ltd offers a range of wooden furniture, from chests
and cabinets to writing desks and bookcases, manufactured in its factory in
mainland China.

Particleboard, MDF (medium-density fibreboard), plywood, PVC and paper are
sourced from Japan and Canada, says sales representative Cissco Chu. The
company's main market is Japan and its products appear under the brand name
Landuen. Faithful is in the process of obtaining ISO 9000, says Chu.

Among Faithful's range of CD racks and cabinets is the CY-011. Measuring
15x15x31 inches, it is an upright model with stainless steel dividers and sells
for HK$380 FOB Hong Kong each.The minimum order is one 40-foot container and
delivery is 30 days after receipt of L/C.

Decorative CD racks are a stylish solution manufactured by Lovely Home
Enterprises Ltd. Hand-painted with a distressed finish, these units are
particularly popular in the US, where the country house look is fashionable,
says manager Simon Chan. "We are emphasising these middle-priced items and
special promotion lines, and we think they will remain popular for the next year
or two. After that we will be looking into researching new designs," Chan
says.

The company offers a doll-house style CD rack (model 1364-FA153A), priced at
US$52.31 FOB Hong Kong; a four-tiered CD table (model 1337-FE084A) at US$58.49;
a CD rack shaped like a house (model 1327-FA144A), at US$50.02; and a CD rack in
the style of a revolving lighthouse (model 1251-FJ015A), priced at US$59.43.
According to Chan, the lighthouse model is extremely popular. All models are
made of MDF and plywood, sourced from Malaysia and Indonesia, says Chan.

Since 1996, Lovely Home has been manufacturing a range of wooden furniture,
as well as mirror frames and ceramic garden planters. The company has a monthly
production capacity of between 4,000 and 6,000 pieces.

Minimum order is 100-300 pieces per item (roughly making up one 40-foot
container). Delivery time after order confirmation is 75-90 days.

Lovely Home's major markets are the US, Brazil, Finland and Japan.

Sunhing Millennium Ltd has been manufacturing storage products since 1957
and offers a range of practical systems for storing audio and video products.

Using plastic, wood and metal sourced from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan,
Malaysia, the US and China, Sunhing's systems are manufactured in the company's
700-worker factory in Dongguan, on the mainland.

The company's products carry the brand name AVEC, and are sold mainly to
Germany, France and Japan. Marketing development manager Alfred Ching says: "The
trend for CD racks is towards greater storage as people's collections get
larger. The design is important for its decorative function and pricing must be
competitive."

Holding 51 CDs, the Giraffe model 5152 comes in eco-friendly style cardboard
packaging. The model has an MDF, wood and aluminium body and a wooden stand
(which is removable for wall hanging), as well as removable partitions. It
measures 15.6x13x92.2 centimetres and weighs seven kilograms.

The Alto model 4651 holds 80 CDs and has a body and floor stand of solid
acrylic, and an aluminium spine in a satin finish. It measures 31x29.8x124
centimetres and weighs 3.7 kilograms.

The Cupid model 0512 is a swivel shelf tower for 80 CDs, measures 30x21.5x68
centimetres, weighs five kilograms, and is available in four colour
combinations.

Prices are available on request. Production is to the value of about US$1.5m
per month and the minimum order is one TEU, with delivery 30 days after order
confirmation.

Zinda Co Ltd manufactures racks and towers for audio and video tape storage.
The company has been in business since 1989 and its factory on the mainland
turns out about 200,000 units per month. MDF and particleboard are sourced from
Belgium and Malaysia.

The MTS-N96 model is made of MDF and stands about four feet high. The
Universal Rack is adjustable to accommodate a selection of video tapes, CDs and
mini discs, and it sells for US$12 FOB Hong Kong each.

Minimum order is 3,000-5,000 pieces, with delivery 45 days after order
confirmation. Marketing department spokesperson Jenny Hung says major markets
are Japan and Europe and the company produces to OEM.

The company also manufactures smaller units accommodating fewer CDs in its
factory in Bao'an, on the mainland. Monthly production of CD racks and cabinets
is about 100,000 units. Wood is sourced from Malaysia and New Zealand.

Minimum order is one TEU and delivery takes 30-40 days after order
confirmation.

According to director WH Ng, major markets are Europe, Australia, Japan, the
US and South Africa. Marketing department spokesperson Andy Lee says: "We
have found that different markets are looking for different styles. In the US,
they prefer more traditional styles whereas the European market is more
fashionable, preferring modern CD towers."

Written by Vivien Jones

FURNISHING COMFORTLiving Room Furniture

FURNITURE is an integral part of a home. The living room is often the
central focus of the house and the choice of furnishing needs to combine
durability with both comfort and style. For many years Hong Kong has been a
leading producer of such furniture and its manufacturers produce a large
quantity in a wide array of materials and styles.

Earnbusy Ind Ltd was established in 1989 and produces more than a hundred
40-foot containers of rattan furniture each month. "Our company has earned
an excellent reputation for quality because we only use the best materials and
the factory where we manufacture has over 25 years' experience in
rattan-furniture manufacture," explains general manager Rachel Li.

Earnbusy manufactures in mainland China, with sales and marketing carried
out from Hong Kong. Major customers come from the US, France, Italy, Australia
and New Zealand. "Prices depend on the quantity and the product. We
manufacture everything for the house, from magazine racks, stools and mirrors to
larger pieces such as glass-topped tables, screens and chests. One of our most
popular products is the furniture set, consisting of a settee, two chairs and
table," says Li.

Minimum order is one 40-foot container and delivery takes 45-55 days
following confirmation of order.

Some companies specialise in a certain style of furniture, while others
focus on using specific materials. Elite Arts Trading Co is one of the latter,
manufacturing a variety of furniture in rosewood. "We use five or six
different types of high-quality rosewood sourced from Southeast Asia," says
marketing executive Samantha Yau. "Our experience means we understand about
wood, that it needs to be looked after, which includes making sure our
customers' orders are shipped with care."

The Elite rosewood range includes the coffee table set, desk with two
drawers, and cutlery chest, selling for US$1,800 FOB Hong Kong, US$525 and
US$710, respectively. Elite sets a minimum order of one 40-foot container and
delivers in 90 days for rosewood products.

"We have customers based in countries all over the world. The sets are
very popular in Asia, whereas our European customers tend to want smaller items,"
concludes Yau.

Another company specialising in rattan furniture is K-Tat Enterprise. "We
have over 20 years' experience of rattan-furniture manufacture. We only use the
best-quality, thick-stemmed rattan from Indonesia, which is one of the
strongest," explains manager CP Wong.

K-Tat has made its mark and is currently shipping between eight and 12
40-foot containers each month to customers in Europe, Panama and Australia. "We
have agents in several cities in Australia, making it one of our most productive
markets. However, South and Central America are starting to provide us with more
business and look good for the future," says Wong. He says that the
furniture sets, comprising a sofa, two chairs and a table, are very popular,
with FOB Hong Kong prices starting at US$210 per set.

K-Tat manufactures on the mainland but has sales and marketing based in Hong
Kong. Its minimum order is one 40-foot container and delivery is within 45 days
of order confirmation.

Foochow Lacquer Ware & Furniture Ltd, as its name suggests, specialises
in traditional-style ornate furniture. As sales manager Wendy Chan explains: "Our
major product is lacquered furniture with traditional Chinese bird and flower
patterns, which is very popular in Europe and the US. We mainly manufacture our
own range of designs but are also experienced in producing furniture to our
customers' own specifications."

The Foochow range is wide and includes a three-piece hand-painted lacquer
screen (US$264 FOB Hong Kong), hall chest (US$240), chest with three drawers
(US$366), chest with four drawers (US$264), and night table (US$144). The
company has no minimum order and delivers within 60 days of confirmation of
order.

"Our firm was established in 1974 and over the years we have built up a
very good reputation for service, quality and competitive pricing,"
concludes Chan.

In contrast to the traditional designs offered by many companies is the
range of furniture manufactured by Grand Classic Ltd. Established in 1992, the
company produces high-quality contemporary furniture in a wide range of
materials to satisfy its global customer base. "Each country has its own
individual preference for particular materials," says marketing director
Joyce Wu. "The Europeans like wood, US customers leather and marble, and in
Asia they want wood, marble and glass. We can supply all of these and in many
designs."

The firm manufactures on the mainland, using materials from the mainland,
Taiwan and Europe. The Grand Classic collection includes metal-and-glass coffee
tables, which sell from US$160 per piece FOB Hong Kong, and fibreglass/marble
coffee tables from US$96 per piece. These prices apply to minimum orders of one
40-foot container. Delivery takes 30-45 days.

"We have our own niche in the market as our designs are quite unusual
for Hong Kong. Our major customers are in Southeast Asia, although the US,
Japanese and European markets are all growing," concludes Wu.

Written by Simon Saunders

QUALITY FITTINGSBathroom Fixtures

QUALITY bathroom accessories are becoming increasingly important to
consumers. Standard units such as shower heads and wall fans are being updated
and improved in a bid to woo discerning customers.

At Regent Int'l (HK) Ltd, multifunctional shower heads are the way of the
future, according to marketing executive Florence Ng.

"We are positioned at the mid- to high-end of the market and we have
found that our customers are looking for more quality and more choice from their
shower units. We believe that in the future our shower units should offer more
functions and more settings."

The Azure shower head models SH89W4, W6 and W8 offer four, six and eight
selection sprays, are handheld units and are made of ABS sourced from Japan. In
window box packaging, they sell for US$6.73 each (W4 with white rubber dial),
US$11.10 (W6 with chrome dial) and US$13.64 FOB Hong Kong (W8 with matt-chrome
dial).

Regent also manufactures push-button models in clamshell packaging. The
SH813K sells for US$11.88 and has three selections, while the SH819K has six
selections and is priced at US$16.72 FOB Hong Kong. "The push-button model
is a definite trend for the future," says Ng.

The company sells about 80% of its shower heads and accessories to the US
market under the brand name Ugenex, but has plans to expand its European
operation into Spain, France and the UK in the near future.

From its factories in Shenzhen and Panyu, in mainland China, Regent produces
100,000 shower heads a month. Minimum order is 3,000 pieces per model, with
delivery 45-60 days after order confirmation.

Made of ABS sourced from Taiwan, the KL-68 adjustable shower head holder is
available in a choice of colours and sells for HK$9.80 FOB Hong Kong. Finished
in chrome plate it sells for HK$16.20.

The KL-601S is a two-in-one shower head unit with hose and sliding bar made
of ABS or chrome plate and sells for HK$59.50 (in ABS) and HK$75.30 FOB Hong
Kong (in chrome plate).

The company has a monthly production of about 30,000 units at its mainland
factory. Minimum order is 1,008 pieces, with delivery 45-60 days after order
confirmation. Kologn, which manufactures under its own brand name, produces for
markets in the UK, US, Malaysia and Singapore.

Bathroom sets  towel rails, shelves, mirror, cup and toilet roll
holders  are manufactured in ABS by Southchina Engineering & Mfg Ltd.
This is a relatively new venture for Southchina, says managing director KS
Leong. "We are a plastics manufacturer looking to expand our business
through these bathroom units," he explains.

Established in 1992, Southchina can manufacture about 500 bathroom sets per
day, says Leong. Minimum order is 1,200 units, to be delivered a month after
order confirmation. Model SEL-900, in ABS sourced from Taiwan, is a
European-style unit that sells for US$12.70 FOB Hong Kong.

Retractable washing lines are a useful addition to any bathroom, and Yudo
Ind Ltd manufactures both a four-line unit and a six-line unit for markets in
the US, Japan and Europe. Manager Juliana Lam says, "We have been a
manufacturer of household and kitchen wares since 1988, and we now have a
monthly production capability of more than 100,000 [washing line] units."

The firm's washing lines are made of polypropylene, sourced from the US,
Japan and South Africa. Model 9103 has six 12-foot lines giving a total drying
area of 73 feet and sells for US$2.05 FOB Hong Kong (for a minimum order of
1,800 pieces), while model 9104 has four 12-foot lines and a total drying area
of 48 feet, selling for US$1.50 FOB Hong Kong (for a minimum order of 2,400
pieces). Delivery takes 30 days after order confirmation.

Several types of bathroom fan are manufactured by Waon Development Ltd,
established in 1991. Additionally, Waon produces heaters, blenders, air cleaners
and vacuum cleaners for markets in Europe, Southeast Asia, Australia, Japan and
mainland China.

The company produces 250,000 units a month in its mainland factory. Minimum
order is one TEU, with delivery 45-60 days after order confirmation. Materials
are sourced from Taiwan, Japan, Germany, Australia and South Africa.

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